"Do it Right the First Time" 
Wooden Wednesday – [The Wooden Way]
Wooden's Wisdom – Volume 3, Issue 110
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If you do not have the time to do it right,
when will you have the time to do it over?

As I sat down to begin writing this issue of Wooden's Wisdom, I decided I would get myself a nice cold glass of pomegranate juice.

Having removed the bottle from the refrigerator I gave it a few good shakes. Since I did not put the cap on properly when I last used it; I was able to spray pomegranate juice on my shirt and the kitchen floor.

As I spent five minutes cleaning the kitchen floor, while thinking about my future dry-cleaning bill to remove the pomegranate stain from my shirt, I reflected that If you do not have the time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? might be Coach Wooden's most useful self coaching quote when beginning a task.

Every time I neglect doing a detail correctly the first time, sooner or later it creates more work for me and others involved in the task.

I am not unique in this regard. In my experience of working with companies all over America I consistently encounter frustrated administrative personnel who do unnecessary work because salespeople and managers don't get the details right the first time.

Last year at the Wooden Cup awards in Atlanta, honoree Jack Nicklaus told the audience that if you do not have the time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over was his favorite John Wooden quote.

…Coach Wooden credited his father Joshua for his do it right the first time habits. Joshua insisted that young John complete every chore on the farm properly and completely before moving on to other activities.

I am going to get another glass of pomegranate juice. It shouldn't take as long or be as expensive. I put the cap back on properly this time.

Yours in Coaching,
Craig Impelman